How do we approach neurodiversity in the workplace? With Tim Vogus

You don't have to be in the working world long to realize that peoples' minds work differently, from how we process information and work on tasks to how we interact with others. This neurodiversity can be challenging in the workplace but there are also ways it can be an asset as long as we understand one another and how we work. This is a big part of the research done by Tim Vogus, which he shares with us on this episode. Tim shares how teams can benefit from understanding and embracing different ways of thinking and the challenges that lie ahead for organizations. For safety professionals, understanding neurodiversity and its effect on worker and organizational safety is important since safety professionals often find themselves working with all levels in the organization. They function as translators and intermediaries, so learning the mental language "spoken" by different people in their workplace is critical. For more information, check out the resources that Tim references in this episode:

• "Neuro Tribes: the Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity" Steve Silberman
• Frist Center for Autism and Innovation: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/
• "Q&A: Vanderbilt expert discusses inclusive workplaces for people on the autism spectrum" https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2022/04/06/ask-an-expert-how-can-workplaces-be-more-inclusive-for-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/
• "The value of  employment support services for adults on the autism spectrum and/or with intellectual disabilities: Employee, employer, and job coach perspectives" by Valerie Martin, Cynthia Di Francesco, Flavio Murahara, Tara Flanagan and Aparna Nadig https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3233/JVR-211163
• "Seeking help in the shadow of doubt: The sensemaking processes underlying how nurses decide whom to ask for advice." by David A. Hofmann, Zhike Lei, Adam Grant https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12532-010